An American Throwback: American Made
Barry Seal is an American pilot about to make the flight(s) of his life: running drugs for the CIA as the agency investigates clandestine organizations that would be exposed in the Iran-Contra Affair. Captured by actor Tom Cruise, Seal's catch-me-if-you-can spirit drives the film the way Jeff Gordon drives a race car, revealing the true-life events at lighting speed, manic at times, while effectively telling Seal's story in an interview that kicks off this riveting drama inspired by true events. The flop-sweat Seal had been a TWA pilot who enjoyed a lucrative sidehustle smuggling the contraband of Cuban cigars along his commercial flights when he's busted by CIA Agent Schafer (Domhnall Gleeson) who offers him the alternative to prison. For Tom Cruise, this tongue-in-cheek film isn't new as, in many of his roles have been tailored to a certain level of witty humor, but it is rare for director Doug Liman, whose forte is action-packed thrillers such as The Bourne I